In summer temperatures, Herrlich had to manage without five players in World Cup finalist Tin Jedvaj, Germany international Julian Brandt (holiday), Lukas Hradecky (wisdom tooth operation), Charkes Aranguiz (rehab training after slight knee injury) and Panos Retsos (hand injury) – nevertheless, there were 21 outfield players and three goalkeepers on the training ground. To start with, Lars Bender, Mitchell Weiser and Co. worked on coordination drills on the ball before the Werkself first team players split into pairs for crosses and shots at goal. The most accurate duo were were Kevin Volland and Julian Baumgartlinger ahead of Sven Bender and Dominik Kohr.
"Tomorrow we'll start on different moves," announced Heiko Herrlich ahead of the forthcoming training sessions at the weekend (Saturday, 10.30 and 16.00 CET plus Sunday at 10.30 CET) five days before the first friendly at SV Rossbach/Verscheid (18 July, 18.00 CET). The pre-season is now finally underway.
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
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